{
  "abstract": "Background Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) is a rare aetiology for spinal cord infarct, secondary to injured intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus material embolization to the spinal artery or vein. We Present a case of presumed FCE secondary to a chokehold during Jiujitsu training.Case A 23-year-old male presented with neck pain, left-sided paraesthesia and hemi-sensory loss followed by right Horner’s’ syndrome and right hemiparesis half an hour post chokehold. Examination revealed right-sided pyramidal weakness with proprioceptive loss, and contralateral pain and temperature sensory loss to T4.Cerebrospinal fluid examination was unremarkable. Initial non-contrast MRI brain and spine showed a C5–6 annular fissure but was otherwise unremarkable. He was empirically treated with a course of IV methylprednisolone and aspirin. Repeat post-gadolinium spinal imaging with DWI sequences at day 3 revealed diffusion restriction consistent with spinal cord infarction at C4–6. Angiography did not reveal arterial dissection.This gentleman underwent extensive spinal rehabilitation. Two months following presentation his symptoms have mostly resolved with ongoing mild residual right leg weakness.Conclusion/Discussion This case meets the diagnostic criteria for FCE as proposed by AbdelRazek et al. (AbdelRazek et al., p. 2015). There are minimal cases described in the literature. We wonder whether the occurrence of this phenomenon is more common than reported with patients unnecessarily exposed to corticosteroid treatment. There is a lack of evidence regarding therapy and prognosis in these patients.Further studies may reduce misdiagnosis, determine utility of treatments and provide information on prognostication for this condition.Reference AbdelRazek, et al. p. 2015.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neurology, Wollongong Public Hospital, Wollongong, NSW, Australia"
      ],
      "name": "Alisha Shrestha"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neurology, Wollongong Public Hospital, Wollongong, NSW, Australia"
      ],
      "name": "Ivonne IL Litchentenberg"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neurology, Wollongong Public Hospital, Wollongong, NSW, Australia"
      ],
      "name": "Michael MV Vine"
    }
  ],
  "title": "3582 Fibrocartilagenous embolism – more common than reported",
  "uid": "8eb75291-5c09-5bd1-8b40-b1d5a620cc4a"
}